Clamp for vehicle accessory

ABSTRACT

A clamp for removably coupling an accessory to a frame of a vehicle. The clamp includes a device portion configured for coupling with the accessory and a vehicle portion configured for coupling with both the device portion and the frame of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/699,956 filed Sep. 8, 2017 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/410,641 filed Oct. 20, 2016, whichare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to devices for coupling an accessory to avehicle. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to clamps forremovably or fixedly coupling an accessory to a vehicle. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to clamps for removably orfixedly coupling an accessory to a vehicle without the use of tools.

BACKGROUND

Motorized vehicles, such as golf carts, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs),snowmobiles, motorcycles, utility vehicles (UTVs), fork lifts (materialhandling), agricultural equipment, and/or other motorized vehicles arecommonly used for recreational and utility purposes. Some of thesevehicles do not have windshields, rear wind deflectors, roofs, or othersimilar accessories. Without such accessories, wind and debris may blowin the face of the operator, causing reduced visibility and comfort.Other such vehicles may have windshields, wind deflectors, roofs, orother such accessories, which may be manufacturer-installed orafter-market options. In either case, windshields may become damaged orworn during use or transportation, such as transportation in the bed ofa truck or on a trailer. Once a windshield becomes damaged or worn, itmay be desirable to remove the windshield for replacement or repair.Some windshields may be permanently attached and thus may not bedifficult and/or expensive to remove. Other windshields may be morereadily removable, but in many cases, removal may be difficult,requiring tools, such as specialty tools, and/or excessive time and/ormoney.

Thus, there is a need in the art for devices, systems, and methodsallowing for readily installed and/or removable windshields formotorized vehicles, such as but not limited to, golf carts, ATVs,snowmobiles, and motorcycles. Particularly, there is a need in the artfor a device for coupling a windshield to a motorized vehicle in areadily removable manner.

SUMMARY

A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a clamp for removably coupling anaccessory to a vehicle includes a device portion configured to interactwith the accessory, and a vehicle portion operatively coupled to thedevice portion. The device portion includes an outer portion, a passthrough portion, and a lock. The outer portion includes a surfaceconfigured for abutment with at least a portion of an outer surface ofthe accessory. The pass through portion extends away from the surface ofthe outer portion and through an opening in the windshield. The lockextends from the pass through portion and includes a lock member and arelease member. The vehicle portion includes a slot configured forreceiving at least a portion of the lock, and an opening configured forreceiving at least a portion of an element of the vehicle

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of aclamp;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of aclamp in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 3 in a closedposition;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of adevice portion for the clamp of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of avehicle portion for the clamp of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more non-limiting embodiments are described herein with referenceto the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are designated bylike numerals. It should be clearly understood that there is no intent,implied or otherwise, to limit the disclosure in any way, shape or formto the illustrated and described embodiments. While multiple exemplaryembodiments are described, variations thereof will become apparent orobvious. Accordingly, any and all variants for providing functionalitiessimilar to those of the described embodiments are considered as beingwithin the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to non-limiting exemplary embodiments ofa device for coupling a windshield to a motorized vehicle, such as golfcart, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), snowmobile, motorcycle, and/or othermotorized vehicle or non-motorized vehicle. In some embodiments, thedevice may be a clamp configured to removably or fixedly couple awindshield to a vehicle, such as to the frame of the vehicle. In someembodiments, the clamp may be operable without the use of tools or withlimited tools. In some embodiments, the clamp may have a lockingmechanism configured to lock the clamp into a desirable position withrespect to the vehicle.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a clamp100. As shown, the clamp 100 may be configured to couple an element oraccessory, such as a windshield 110, to a vehicle body 120. The clamp100 may generally have a device portion 130 configured to interact withthe windshield 110 or other element or accessory, and a vehicle portion140 configured to interact with the vehicle.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device portion 130 of theclamp 100 may have an outer portion 132 and a pass through portion 134.The outer portion 132 may be configured to be arranged on an outersurface of the windshield 110 or other element or accessory, so as togrip or hold the windshield or other element or accessory. Where theelement is a windshield 110 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer portion132 may be arranged on or against an external surface of the windshield.In some embodiments, the outer portion 132 may have a padded or rubbersurface to more easily or effectively grip the windshield 110 surfacewithout damaging the windshield. The pass through portion 134 may beconfigured to pass through the windshield 110 or other element oraccessory. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pass through portion 134 maypass from an outer surface of the windshield 110, where the pass throughportion couples to the outer portion 132, through an opening in thewindshield, to an inner surface of the windshield, where the passthrough portion may extend from the opening of the windshield and coupleto the vehicle portion 140. As such, the windshield 110 or other elementor accessory may have an opening configured to receive the pass throughportion 134. In some embodiments, the pass through portion 134 may beconfigured to float within the windshield 110 so as to accommodatetolerance variations on the vehicle and the windshield. As such, theclamp 100 may be self-adjusting to accommodate tolerance variations. Thepass through portion 134 may generally have a smaller width or diameterthan the opening of the windshield 110 such that it may fit through theopening. The outer portion 132 may generally have a width or diameterlarger than the opening of the windshield 110, such that it may grip orbe arranged on a portion of the windshield surrounding the opening. Thepass through portion 134 may have a slide or groove 136 configured toreceive a component of the vehicle portion 140. The groove 136 may allowthe vehicle portion 140 to be removably or fixedly coupled to the deviceportion 130.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the vehicle portion 140 of theclamp 100 may generally be configured to removably or fixedly couple tothe device portion 130 so as to secure the windshield 110 or otherelement or accessory. In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 140 maybe configured to couple to an element of the vehicle body 120, such asmetal or plastic bar or other frame element. In some embodiments, thevehicle portion 140 may have an opening 142 configured to receive anelement of the vehicle body 120 or a portion thereof. The opening 142may have any suitable size and shape configured to receive a suitableelement of the vehicle body 120, such as metal or plastic bar or tube ora portion thereof. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, theopening 142 may be sized and shaped to receive a rollover protectionstructure (ROPS) bar or tube. In some embodiments, the opening 142 maygenerally have a semi-circular or semi-oval shape. In some embodiments,the opening 142 may have one or more ridges or straight edges toaccommodate a bar, tube, or other vehicle element. The bar, tube, orother vehicle element may be removably or fixedly arranged within theopening 142. The vehicle portion 140 and opening 142 may be configuredsuch that the bar, tube, or other vehicle element may be pressed, slid,or snapped into the opening. In some embodiments, the vehicle portion140 may flex slightly so as to accommodate receiving the bar, tube, orother vehicle element. In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 140 maycouple to the vehicle body 120 via other means.

In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 140 may have one or more pins144 configured to couple the vehicle portion to the device portion 130.The one or more pins 144 may be configured to slide into or otherwise bein communication with a slide or groove 136 of the device portion 130.In some embodiments, two opposing pins 144 may extend from the vehicleportion 140 and may be configured to slide within opposing grooves 136.In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 140 may have a cam portion 146.The cam portion 146 may be configured to press against the windshield110 or other element or accessory. In some embodiments, the cam portion146 may have an oval or other rounded and/or elongated shape. As thevehicle portion 140 and device portion 130 are coupled together, the camportion 146 may act on the windshield 110 to push or pinch thewindshield between the vehicle portion and the device portion. As shownin FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the vehicle portion 140 may have two camportions 146, spaced on either of two sides of the vehicle portion andseparated by the one or more pins 144 at which point the vehicle portionmay couple to the device portion 130.

In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 140 may have a release handle148. The release handle 148 may be configured to allow a user oroperator to pry or pull the vehicle portion 140 off of a bar, tube, orother frame or vehicle element, so as to remove the windshield 110 fromthe vehicle. The release handle 148 may have any suitable size andshape. In some embodiments, the release handle 148 may be sized andshaped such that a user or operator may push the release handle with athumb or finger.

In use, the clamp 100 may generally operate to removably or fixedlycouple the windshield 110, or other element or accessory, to the vehiclebody 120. In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 140 may be coupled toa bar, tube, or other frame or vehicle element. As described above, thedevice portion 130 may be arranged on or in communication with thewindshield 110 or other element or accessory. In some embodiments, thepass through portion 134 may be positioned through an opening in thewindshield 110 configured to receive the pass through portion, such thatthe outer portion 132 is arranged adjacent to or against an outersurface of the windshield and the pass through portion extends beyond aninner surface of the windshield. The device portion 130 and vehicleportion 140 may be coupled together in order to secure the windshield110 between the two components. In some embodiments, the device portion130 and vehicle portion 140 may couple together by sliding or otherwisearranging the one or more pins 144 of the vehicle portion into thegroove 136 of the device portion 130. In some embodiments, the one ormore pins 144 may snap into position in the groove 136 and may be heldin place may a component such as a detent. As the vehicle portion 140 isslid into place within the groove 136 of the device portion 130, the camportion 146 may operate to hold the windshield 110 against the outerportion 132 of the device portion. In some embodiments, the vehicleportion 140 may be configured to couple to a bar, post, or other elementby snapping or pushing the bar or tube of the vehicle frame into theopening 142 of the vehicle portion 140. In this way, the windshield 110may be removably or fixedly coupled to the vehicle. One or more clamps100 may be used to securely hold the windshield 110 on the vehicleduring operation of the vehicle, so as to protect the operator from windand/or debris. In some embodiments, two or four clamps 100 may be usedto hold a windshield 110 onto a vehicle. In other embodiments, anysuitable number of clamps may be used.

In some embodiments, a user or operator may use the release handle 148to pull or pry the vehicle portion 140 away from the bar, tube, or othervehicle element, so as to remove the windshield 110 from the vehicle. Inthis way, the windshield 110 may be removed for repair or replacement.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of aclamp 200. As shown, the clamp 200 may be configured to couple anelement or accessory, such as a windshield 210, to a vehicle body. Theclamp 200 may generally have a device portion 230 configured to interactwith the windshield 210 or other element or accessory, and a vehicleportion 240 configured to interact with the vehicle. FIG. 6 is aperspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the deviceportion 230 for the clamp 200; and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the vehicle portion 240 for theclamp 200.

In some embodiments, the device portion 230 of the clamp 200 may have anouter portion 232 and a pass through portion 234. The outer portion 232may be configured to be arranged on an outer surface of the windshield210 or other element or accessory, so as to grip or hold the windshieldor other element or accessory. Where the element is a windshield 210 asshown in FIGS. 3-5, the outer portion 232 may be arranged on or againstan external surface of the windshield 210. In some embodiments, theouter portion 232 may have a padded or rubber surface to more easily oreffectively grip the windshield 210 surface without damaging thewindshield. The pass through portion 234 may be configured to passthrough the windshield 210 or other element or accessory. As shown inFIGS. 3-5, the pass through portion 234 may pass from an outer surfaceof the windshield 210, where the pass through portion couples to theouter portion 232, through an opening in the windshield, to an innersurface of the windshield, where the pass through portion couples to thevehicle portion 240. Accordingly, the windshield 210 or other element oraccessory may have an opening configured to receive the pass throughportion 234. In some embodiments, the pass through portion 234 may beconfigured to float within the windshield 210 so as to accommodatetolerance variations on the vehicle and the windshield. Accordingly, theclamp 200 may be self-adjusting to accommodate tolerance variations. Thepass through portion 234 may generally have a smaller width or diameterthan the opening of the windshield 210 such that it may fit through theopening. The outer portion 232 may generally have a width or diameterlarger than the opening of the windshield 210, such that it may grip orbe arranged on a portion of the windshield surrounding the opening.

In some embodiments, the device portion 230 may have a lock 236, whichmay extend from the pass through portion 234. The lock 236 may beconfigured to be arranged within the vehicle portion 240. The lock 236may generally have a lock member 237 and a release trigger 238. The lockmember 237 may be configured to slide or fit within a portion of thevehicle portion 240, as will be further described below. The releasetrigger 238 may extend from the lock member 237 at an angle and maygenerally be configured to flex or bend with respect to the lock member.In some embodiments, the connection between the lock member 237 and therelease trigger 238 may include relatively thin section of plastic,metal, or any other suitable material, and a gap between the lock memberand release trigger, such that the release trigger may be flexed, bent,or pushed towards the lock member. In some embodiments, the releasetrigger 238 may have a ridge 239. The ridge 239 may be configured tocatch on a portion of the vehicle portion 240 so as to help hold thelock 236 in place within or with respect to the vehicle portion.

In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 of the clamp 200 maygenerally be configured to removably or fixedly couple to the deviceportion 230 so as to secure the windshield 210 or other element oraccessory. In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 may beconfigured to couple to an element of the vehicle body, such as metal orplastic bar or other frame element. In some embodiments, the vehicleportion 240 may have an opening 242 configured to receive an element ofthe vehicle body or a portion thereof. The opening 242 may have anysuitable size and shape configured to receive a suitable element of thevehicle body, such as metal or plastic bar or tube or a portion thereof.In some embodiments, the opening 242 may be sized and shaped to receivea rounded bar or tube. In some embodiments, the opening 242 may be sizedand shaped to receive a different shaped bar or tube or a ROPS tube. Insome embodiments, the opening 242 may generally have a semi-circular orsemi-oval shape. In some embodiments, the opening 242 may have one ormore ridges or straight edges to accommodate a bar, tube, or othervehicle element. The bar, tube, or other vehicle element may beremovably or fixedly arranged within the opening 242. The vehicleportion 240 and opening 242 may be configured such that the bar, tube,or other vehicle element may be pressed, slid, or snapped into theopening. In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 may slightly flexso as to accommodate receiving the bar, tube, or other vehicle element.In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 may couple to the vehiclebody, such as for example vehicle body 120, via other means.

In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 may have a slot 243 forreceiving the lock 236. That is, the slot 243 may be configured toreceive the lock 236 such that an inner surface of the locksubstantially aligns with an inner surface of the vehicle portion 240,as shown in FIG. 5. When the lock 236 is arranged within the slot 243,the release trigger 238 may extend beyond the vehicle portion 240. Insome embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 may include a ridge (notshown) configured to oppose ridge 239 on the release trigger 238 whenthe lock 236 is within the slot 243. The two ridges may operate to lockthe lock 236 into place within the slot 243.

In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 may include a pin 244 forcoupling the vehicle portion to the device portion 230. The pin 244 maybe a metal pin, configured to pass through aligned holes on the vehicleportion 240 and the device portion 230. In some embodiments, the vehicleportion 240 may be configured to rotate about the pin 244 so as to movethe vehicle portion with respect to the lock 236. In some embodiments,the vehicle portion 240 may have a first position, which may be an openposition as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a second position, which may bea closed position as shown in FIG. 5. The vehicle portion 240 maygenerally be configured to pivot between the open position and closedposition. In the open position, the lock 236 may be outside of the slot243, and in the closed position, the lock may be arranged within theslot and “locked” in place via the ridge on the vehicle portion 240 andthe ridge 239 on the release trigger 238. In some embodiments, thevehicle portion 240 may have any suitable number of positions throughwhich it may rotate or pivot. In the closed position, the vehicleportion 240, coupled to the vehicle, may operate to pull the deviceportion 230 against the windshield 210. In some embodiments, the vehicleportion 240 may have one or more cam portions configured to pinch thewindshield 210 between the vehicle portion and the device portion 230.

In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 may have a release handle248. The release handle 248 may be configured to allow a user oroperator to pry or pull the vehicle portion 240 off of a bar, tube, orother frame or vehicle element, so as to remove the windshield 210 fromthe vehicle. The release handle 248 may be of any suitable size andshape. In some embodiments, the release handle 248 may be sized andshaped such that a user or operator may push the release handle with athumb or finger.

In use, the clamp 200 may generally operate to removably or fixedlycouple the windshield 210, or other element or accessory, to the vehiclebody. In some embodiments, the vehicle portion 240 may be coupled to abar, tube, or other frame or vehicle element. As described above, thedevice portion 230 may be arranged on or in communication with thewindshield 210 or other element or accessory. In some embodiments, thepass through portion 234 may be positioned through an opening in thewindshield 210 configured to receive the pass through portion, such thatthe outer portion 232 is arranged adjacent to or against an outersurface of the windshield and the pass through portion extends beyond aninner surface of the windshield. The device portion 230 and vehicleportion 240 may be coupled together in order to secure the windshield210 between the two components. In some embodiments, the device portion230 and vehicle portion 240 may couple together by the metal or othermaterial pin 244 configured to pass through aligned holes in each of thevehicle portion 240 and device portion 230. In some embodiments, thevehicle portion 240 may be configured to couple to a bar, post, or otherelement by snapping or pushing the bar or tube of the vehicle frame intothe opening 242 of the vehicle portion and pivoting the vehicle portionto the closed position. In this way, the windshield 210 may be removablyor fixedly coupled to the vehicle. One or more clamps 200 may be used tosecurely hold the windshield 210 on the vehicle during operation of thevehicle, so as to protect the operator from wind and/or debris. In someembodiments, two or four clamps 200 may be used to hold a windshield 210onto a vehicle. In other embodiments, any suitable number of clamps 200may be used.

In some embodiments, a user or operator may use the release handle 248to pull or pry the vehicle portion 240 away from the bar, tube, or othervehicle element, so as to remove the windshield 210 from the vehicle. Insome embodiments, the user or operator may use the release trigger 238to disengage the lock 236 and allow the vehicle portion 240 to pivot tothe open position. In this way, the windshield 210 may be removed forrepair or replacement.

It will be appreciated that non-limiting exemplary embodiments of theclamps may be used to couple a different device to a motorized ornon-motorized vehicle. In some embodiments, the clamps may be used forattaching a windshield or other accessory or element to a vehicle. Someembodiments of the clamp may operably be used to couple a roof, panel,or other vehicle component or accessory to a vehicle. In someembodiments, clamps may be generally operational from within thevehicle, such that the windshield or other accessory or element may notbe removed without access to the interior of the vehicle. In someembodiments, the clamps may be operated without the use of tools. Insome embodiments, the clamps may be configured to be quick-releaseclamps. Some embodiments of the clamps may generally have a low profileand may be operated without interrupting a gasket or other weathersealing surface. In some embodiments, the clamps may be constructed byinjection molding. In some embodiments, any other suitable manufacturingprocess or processes may be used.

In view thereof, modified and/or alternate configurations of theembodiments described herein may become apparent or obvious to one ofordinary skill. All such variations are considered as being within themetes and bounds of the instant disclosure. For instance, whilereference may have been made to particular feature(s) and/orfunction(s), the disclosure is considered to also include embodimentsconfigured for functioning and/or providing functionalities similar tothose disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.Accordingly, the spirit, scope and intent of the instant disclosure isto embrace all such variations. Consequently, the metes and bounds ofthe disclosure is solely defined by the appended claims and any and allequivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A clamp for removably coupling a windshield to avehicle, the clamp comprising: a device portion configured to interactwith the windshield, the device portion comprising: an outer portioncomprising a surface configured for abutment with at least a portion ofan outer surface of the windshield; a pass through portion extendingaway from the surface of the outer portion and configured to extendthrough an opening in the windshield; and a lock extending from the passthrough portion, the lock comprising: a lock member; and a releasetrigger; and a vehicle portion operatively coupled to the deviceportion, the vehicle portion comprising: a slot configured for receivingat least a portion of the lock; and an opening configured for receivingat least a portion of an element of the vehicle.
 2. The clamp of claim1, wherein the surface of the outer portion of the device portion isconfigured for gripping the outer surface of the windshield.
 3. Theclamp of claim 1, wherein the pass through portion is configured tofloat within the opening in the windshield.
 4. The clamp of claim 1,wherein the lock member and the release trigger are spaced apart fromeach other.
 5. The clamp of claim 4, comprising a flexible couplingbetween at least a portion of the lock member and at least a portion ofthe release trigger.
 6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the releasetrigger comprises a ridge configured for detachably coupling the lock tothe vehicle portion.
 7. The clamp of claim 6, wherein the vehicleportion comprises a ridge configured to latch with the ridge of therelease trigger.
 8. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the vehicle portionand the device portion are detachable.
 9. The clamp of claim 1, whereinthe vehicle portion and the device portion are rotatably coupled to eachother.
 10. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the vehicle portion and thedevice portion are not detachable.
 11. The clamp of claim 1, wherein thevehicle portion is configured to be coupled to and removed from theelement of the vehicle without using tools.
 12. The clamp of claim 1,wherein the vehicle portion comprises one or more cams configured toengage an internal surface of the windshield.
 13. The clamp of claim 12,wherein at least one of the one or more cams is configured for securingthe windshield between the outer portion of the device portion and thevehicle portion.
 14. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the element of thevehicle is one of a frame, a bar, a tube, and a roll over protectionstructure.
 15. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the vehicle portioncomprises a release handle configured to enable an operator to disengagethe vehicle portion from the element of the vehicle.
 16. The clamp ofclaim 1, configured to secure the windshield between the outer portionof the device portion and the vehicle portion.
 17. The clamp of claim 1,wherein the opening of the vehicle portion has a semi-circular shape ora semi-oval shape.
 18. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the opening of thevehicle portion comprises one or more ridges or straight edges.
 19. Theclamp of claim 1, wherein the vehicle portion is at least partiallyflexible.
 20. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the vehicle portion isconfigured such that the vehicle element can be pressed, slid, orsnapped into the opening.
 21. The clamp of claim 1, wherein an innersurface of the lock substantially aligns with an inner surface of thevehicle portion when the lock is in the locked position.
 22. The clampof claim 21, wherein the release trigger extends out of the slot in thevehicle portion.
 23. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the vehicle portioncomprises a release handle.
 24. The clamp of claim 23, wherein therelease handle is configured to enable an operator to separate thevehicle portion from the element of the vehicle.